Dorinda Elliott

Global Affairs Editor

I spend a lot of time thinking about global issues and how the travel industry can make a difference, from climate change to poverty relief. Aiyah, sounds terribly serious, doesn’t it!

How did you become so passionate about travel?

I lived overseas for 20 years, in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Beijing, Moscow, and Brussels, so travel is just part of my life.

What’s in your travel bag?

My Kindle (so I can read lots of books at the same time), a great pair of shoes, and one of my funky Janis Provisor necklaces, because they make everything look special.

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

I would be in China, because it’s by far the most interesting place in the world. It’s at once mind-blowing, hilarious, and scary. The entire society is in flux—anything goes.

As a Condé Nast Traveler staff member, you are bound to our Truth in Travel policy. What does that mean to you?

To me, Truth in Travel goes way, way beyond not taking freebies: that’s just a given. To me, the most important part of Truth in Travel is that we are reporting on the world and global issues, warts and all.

What else should we know about you?

I have three beautiful sons, speak bad Russian and fluent Chinese, and have a fetish for contemporary Chinese art, Ming furniture, and old Xinjiang carpets.**

Any other projects you’d like to tell us about? **

I have become obsessed with responsible travel. Given that there are so many great hotels that are environmentally and socially conscious, why would you stay at one that is not?